New Percussion Director Joins Westwood Warrior Band

Photo+courtesy+of+Mr.+Mikey+Sheeran.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Mikey Sheeran.

The Westwood Warrior band welcomed its new percussion director, Mr. John “Mikey” Sheeran, to the band staff over the summer. Mr. Sheeran has an extensive percussion background. He has marched and worked in several well-known drum corps in the percussion community around the United States, including Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps, Genesis, Spirit of Atlanta, and Crossmen, as well as playing in various indoor drumline groups.

This will be Mr. Sheeran’s first permanent teaching job, as prior to accepting the Westwood position, he took part-time jobs with other Central Texas high schools and other drum corps around the U.S.. Mr. Sheeran knew he wanted to join the Westwood band staff because of his ties to the Round Rock region.

“Central Texas was where I wanted to teach all my life,” Mr. Sheeran said. “I grew up in Round Rock, went to Cedar Ridge, so a big goal of mine was only to live in the Central Texas area. [This job opening] was huge for me. I was already like ‘Yes, this is a big school that I would love to be a part of.’”

In his first year at Westwood, Mr. Sheeran won’t be looking to change too much of the culture that has already been established in the Westwood band.

“I’m really trying to get used to the systems already in place and slightly add my own bits of my teaching to the mix,” Mr. Sheeran said. “This first year is kind of that transition, I’m coming in at a point where it’s hard to try to change things. So, my goal is to keep Westwood at a high level, like they were last year.”

Mr. Sheeran already has many goals for Westwood percussion, but said his main goal is “to develop [the students] into the best percussionists that they can be.”

“I want them to be more well-rounded as players, rather than them being good at one particular instrument,” Mr. Sheeran said.

However, Mr. Sheeran is planning on introducing new ideas for the percussionists down the road.

“Next year, I want to start getting Westwood back into drumline competitions during the marching season. We already drum at a really good level, so I would love to go out there and medal [in the competition] right away,” Mr. Sheeran said.

Mr. Sheeran has already begun teaching and getting Westwood percussion ready for the marching season, which begins competing on Sept. 29 at Bands of America Austin.